Niina Suominen
Diabolus ex Machina
1–25 February 2024
The concept of “deus ex machina,” originating from ancient Greek theater, depicts a situation where an unexpected and unlikely occurrence or character is introduced in the story line to solve a problem. A god emerges from the machine to fix things. Today we rely on technological solutions and digital systems that we believe will save us from destruction. Could the devil emerge from the machine instead of a god?
Diabolus ex Machina is an experimental animation about devils living in technical systems. My work examines the unintended results of a digital photography process. My subject was a white digital screen. The work was created from details dug up from the white screen by capturing series of images from the screens with a camera. I forced machines to photograph each other, I provoked the devices and observed the transformations. I examined the details in the images and recorded them as new series of images. I compare series of images shot with a hand-held camera to air gun shooting where precision and a steady hand are the most important things.
My artistic role models are the pioneers of avant-garde animation from the 1920s to the 1950s, who sometimes created their works without a camera or using a camera without electricity. My perspective is personal and linked to the way I work with analogue devices and my prejudices against digital images. Our wasteful consumption habits, the throw-away culture in terms of electronic devices and the endless development of digital images have made me feel uncomfortable. During the work process, I have learned to tolerate the digital world. I have seen the devils living in a digital image, but also the beautiful colors and patterns, both sides of the digital soul.
The soundscape was created by Sara Milazzo, a composer of experimental electronic music, who is also a qualified electrician and automation assembler.
Niina Suominen (b. 1973, Masku) has worked as a free artist with media art and experimental animation since 2004. Her art has been seen at various venues in both Finland and abroad. Her works are distributed by AV-arkki and Raina Film Festival Distribution.
Thank you
The production of the work has been supported by Avek. The exhibition has been supported by Rymättylän Osuuspankki.
Contact information
forcemajeurefilms(a)protonmail.com
www.niinasuominen.com
@niina.forcemajeurefilms
